MOD 10 - Haulage Hours

I object to the Modification for the negative benefits this Modification contributes to the environment, the economy and society. An overpass paid for by the proponent over the Kamilaroi Highway must be a precondition to any approval.

see attached

Increase in Road Haulage hours of Coal by Tarrawonga to the Gunnedah CHPP, (Modification 10) must not be approved unless there is a Kamilaroi Highway Overpass build and paid for by Whitehaven Coal.
Full Submission Attached.

See attached submission objecting to Tarrawonga Coal Mine: MP11_0047-Mod-10 Haulage Hours

To Whom it may Concern
As residents who live in proximity to the Tarrawonga coal haulage route we are concerned about the application for extended hours of coal haulage .
Our primary concern is the fatigue management of drivers who will be starting shifts at 4am . For many of the drivers this will mean rising at 3am or earlier to begin the day ( allowing for travel to site ). This is far from ideal for the human body and will result in weary drivers traversing the haul route in ninety tonne laden trucks throughout the day .
I understand the need for the mine to try and fully utilise the current tonnage allowance but I don’t quite follow how extra hours will lead to more driver availability, as stated in the modification scoping letter.
The problem as I see it is low numbers of drivers and to my thinking forcing the current drivers into working these kind of hours would only result in quicker burnout and even lower driver numbers.
Fatigue management within a minesite should be viewed in a completely different light to fatigue managing on road drivers who are interacting with the general public . In the history of road haulage from the Tarrawonga mine the level of incidents has been low with no serious injury to anyone Thus far . When compared to historical incidents within the mine site I think this a great achievement and maintaining this record should be the primary concern.
As a regular user of both Bluevale and old Bluevale roads in both light and heavy vechiles my primary concern is for the safety of myself , my family and all other road users . I believe the Rosters that are being considered are not in the best interest of promoting road safety.
For full transparency I would also state that I have been a previous employee under two previous contractors engaged in transport on the route from Tarrawonga and Rockglen mines to the Gunnedah CHPP. I believe this experience affords me the ability to comment from a quite well informed position.
For the sake of safety , driver welfare and the state of the road itself ( taking into account the wear and tear caused by extra movements) I would very much hope that the modification is rejected.
Yours Sincerely
William and Stina Heath
433 Old Bluevale road
Gunnedah

I strongly object to the expansion of haulage hours for Tarrawonga mine. This modification will further extend the footprint of the mine in terms of amenity impacts on road users and people living along the haulage route. It will result in increased noise and air pollution on a local scale, combined with an increase in scope 1 Green house gas emissions from the project. Furthermore, the proponent has failed to clarify how it intends to transport the projected tonnages of coal from Tarrawonga when they are combined with forecast tonnages from Vickery, while remaining below the 3.5mtpa road cap. I see this modification as a stepping stone to increase the road haulage limit once Vickery is in operation. They have already increased the size of their trucks by almost 50%, why do they need to extend the hours. I think it is a very poor excuse for the proponent to claim that they need to further externalise the negative impacts of this project on the surrounding community because of their inability to attract and retain drivers. These limits were put in place ( and agreed upon by the proponent) for a reason. To “about face” on these approval conditions now would make a mockery of the whole planning system in NSW.

I support this project for its benefits to the local and surrounding communities and for the state and federal governments.